The venerable newsmagazine “60 Minutes” began its 59th season on CBS Sunday night without directly addressing the behind-the-scenes turmoil and staff departures that have characterized recent months.
Near the end of the program, an announcer acknowledged that journalism “you can trust” is essential as the show looks toward the future and noted that there would be “new faces” on the program this season.
These subtle references come after significant upheaval within the show. CBS News leader Bari Weiss has indicated a "new approach" for "60 Minutes," which has included the dismissal of its top producer, two correspondents, and others. Nick Bilton, a former technology columnist and documentarian, was appointed executive producer earlier this year, replacing Tanya Simon. Scott Pelley, a long-standing anchor and correspondent for the program, was reportedly fired in June following a confrontation with management. He had alleged that new management instructed him to include falsehoods and bias in a politically sensitive story, a claim that CBS denied.
Two other correspondents, Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, were also let go. Alfonsi's segment on deportees was reportedly held back by Weiss before airing later. Anderson Cooper also departed the program.
The internal challenges at “60 Minutes” have been ongoing for over a year, escalating after former President Donald Trump sued the show for its editing of a 2024 interview with Kamala Harris. This incident became part of a larger shake-up at CBS News that followed David Ellison's appointment as the network's corporate leader and Weiss's subsequent naming as editor-in-chief late last year.